The collapse of the bridge has led to controversy over the nation's infrastructure, as some blame the state for the bridge's poor design and maintenance. Some families chose to stay home from a state funeral on Saturday for 18 victims out of anger at the government.

Still, thousands of people attended the state funeral, and applause broke out as rescuers and Civil Defense Department members arrived to take part.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella led the ceremony along with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Some family members chose to bury the dead in their own towns instead of the state funeral service.

"Many do not want to take part in a showcase and I understand them," Father Mauro Brezzo, chaplain of Genoa's San Martino hospital, told ANSA. "In general anger is prevailing [among people] . . The relatives of the victims, on the other hand, are in tears and in silence ... They are going through the drama."

Italian transportation minister Danilo Toninelli and Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio have blamed the company, Autostrade per l'Itali, which operates and maintains the highway, for the collapse.